Poland is preparing to deploy 10,000 soldiers to protect critical infrastructure in order “to prevent acts of sabotage and strengthen the security level for Polish citizens,” announced Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz today. The plan comes as a response to sabotage incidents on the railway network last weekend, which Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had earlier characterized as “state terrorism” by Russia.
The country’s enemies could consider the longest winter nights and the Christmas period as “the most suitable time for an attack,” warned a Polish general. Speaking at the same press conference with the Security Forces spokesman, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Wiesław Kukuła warned that the long winter nights and the approaching Christmas holidays “may be perceived by our enemies as the most opportune moment to strike our security.”
Poland: Russia’s intentions remain unchanged
“The night, which provides natural cover for this type of action, will be very long in the coming weeks. In little more than a month, Christmas holidays begin – a period during which the majority of Poles will be traveling, largely by public transport. This time window may be considered by our enemies as the most suitable moment to strike our security,” he said.
“We must not allow it,” he noted.
He further warned that “Russia’s intentions remain unchanged and the events of recent weeks describe a broad horizon of possible incidents that may occur.”
Earlier today, Warsaw ordered the urgent takeoff of Polish and allied fighter jets and AWACS aircraft in the early morning hours amid Russian missile and drone raids on sectors of western Ukraine, near the border with Poland, announced the operational command of the NATO member state’s general staff.
“Quick reaction fighter pairs and early warning aircraft took off urgently and ground-based anti-aircraft defense and airspace surveillance systems were placed on maximum alert,” the command explained via X.
The sabotage incidents attributed to Russia
It should be noted that Warsaw announced yesterday it would establish a higher threat level on certain railway lines and would use the army to protect critical infrastructure. This statement was made in the wake of sabotage incidents of “Russian origin,” such as the explosion on the Warsaw-Lublin railway line, which connects the Polish capital with the Ukrainian border.
The climate of concern prevailing in Poland is reflected in the statement by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces General Wiesław Kukuła that Russia “has begun preparing for war” and that his country “has entered a pre-war phase.”
